Women's Day: Celebrating the women who inspire the GLAMOUR team

As we embark on Women’s Month, it feels only right to pause and reflect on the extraordinary women who have shaped not just history, but also our lives and careers. At GLAMOUR, inspiration comes in many forms — from trailblazers who broke barriers in media and activism to the quiet, unwavering strength of the women closest to us. In honour of Women’s Day, the GLAMOUR team has put a spotlight on the women who ignite their passion, fuel their resilience, and remind them what it truly means to be unstoppable.

Nontando Mposo, Editor-in-Chief

Several remarkable women have profoundly inspired my career journey in media and publishing. Among them are magazine editor and journalist Khanyi Dhlomo, entertainment journalist Mokgadi Seabi, Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, and talk show host Joan Rivers. These trailblazers not only excelled in their respective fields but also captivated audiences with their compelling storytelling. Their influence across various media platforms is both powerful and respected, setting a high standard for aspiring professionals like myself.

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Tania Durand, Fashion Director

My mother inspires me the most. She showed her daughters that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams and passions. When her mother passed away, she was forced to leave school as a teenager to go out and work. She essentially lost out on being a teenager and had to put aside whatever hopes and aspirations she had for herself. Fast forward to my last two years of high school, my mother decided to complete her high school certificate —we ended up graduating high school the same year. She attended night school at a local school, and when she graduated she pursued another dream of hers: attending university. While being a wife, mom and having a full-time job, she managed her studies and still made time for her friends and family. And she successfully completed her Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Psychology. Her resilience and determination served as a catalyst for my career in fashion. At 34, I chose to alter the trajectory of my life and enrolled at a local college — where I was one of the oldest students at the time. We often use our age or personal circumstances as an obstacle to why we can’t do certain things or pursue ourdreams. But if we refuse to allow those hurdles to stop us, we can have the life we imagined. My journey was possible because my mother showed me that it was possible.

Thobeka Phanyeko, Features Editor

I am deeply inspired by women who challenge the norm — and I’ve always admired the strength and resilience of figures like Ma Lilian Ngoyi, Ruth First and the late Winnie Mandela. Their fearlessness resonates through generations, reminding us that women have voices and have the power to honour their agency because of those who dared to challenge the status quo. As we commemorate Women’s Month, let’s take a moment to reflect on the immense price of freedom. May we always draw inspiration from the women who marched in 1956 to fight for gender equality!

Lethiwe Nhlangothi, Digital Content Producer

Bonang Matheba’s influence on the South African media space is profound. Her work ethic is unmatched, her passion undeniable and the poise with which she carries herself continues to set the bar for so many others in the industry. Watching her take over in media, fashion, and business taught me that excellence is non-negotiable. She inspired me to never settle for the sake of comfort, approval or fear. Through her, I learned that there’s power in knowing your worth and even more power in demanding it. She’s are minder that sometimes the most revolutionary thing a woman can do is wanting more for herself and getting it.

Sindeka Mandoyi, Digital Content Producer

The fight for liberation in South Africa was not waged by protests alone, it echoed powerfully through sound and song. One of the most vital voices of the apartheid era was Miriam Makeba. Her music carried messages of resistance and hope, resonating in every corner of the country. Songs like “A Luta Continua” and “Nongqongqo” became anthems of the struggle, her voice a powerful instrument of defiance. For her unwavering dedication, she became affectionately known as Mama Africa, a title earned through her fearless use of music as a weapon for justice. She’s one of the women in history who inspires me most, not just for her talent, but for her courage to use it to fight for freedom.